Answers

Steragram is correct - you can trim but not coppice/polder a conifer. They do not regenerate from old wood. They are quite cheap to replace.

You could try and topiary the bottom of the conifer - that works well. Something like this looks good and is easy to do: (http://uphilldowndale.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/a-christmas-tree-of-sorts.jpg)